Combined accelerator and foot rest



June 5, 1928. 1,672,315

G. N. HALLER COMBINED ACCELERATOR AND FOOT REST.

Filed March 1927 2 s he ets sheet 1 6.1V. fiALLiR,

' June s, 1928.

G. N. HALLER COMBINED ACCELERATOR AND FOOT REST Filed March 1827 i 3 2. a y I/ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CiA/THALLER,

Patented June 5, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFF1cE.

GEORGE u. HALLER, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR or our:-

' HALF 'ro IRVING SEIGEL, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.

COMBINED ACCELERATOR AND FOOT REST.

Application filed Maro1r2, 1927. Serial No. 172,099.

My invention relates to 'acombined acceleratorand foot rest for automobiles.

i i is connected with the throttle valve of the.

As is well known, when driving an automobile, particularly upon a long trip, the operators foot which: holds the acclerator lever depressed, becomes tired, causing considerable inconvenience. Further, as there is no rigid support for the foot, retaining the accelerator element depressed, the jars or shocks transmitted to the traveling automobile, are in turn transmitted to the foot and to the accelerator. This will cause the engine to run at uneven speeds.

In accordance with my invention, I 'pro-.

vide a combined accelerator and foot rest, embodying a foot engagmg member whlch carburetor, for effecting its opening move- -ment, when thefoot engaging member is depressed. Means are provided to hold or lock the foot y engaging member against downward. movement, when it is desired I that the same serve as a rigid foot support or rest. The construction of the means is such that the foot engaging member will be automatically released, so that it may be freely] depressed by the foot or rigidlysupported against downward movement in any selected depressed position. \Vhen the foot engaging member is rigidly supported in a selected depressed position, it will not only afford a rigid support or rest for the foot but will hold the throttle valve of the carburetor in the selected open position, without subjecting the same to vibrations or movements, which Figure 2 is a sideelevation of the com bined accelerator and foot rest embodying my invention, Y

Figure 3 is a plan view of the same, Figure 4 isa central longitudinal sectional view through the device,

' Figure 5 is a transverse section, taken on 'line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a similar view taken on line 66 of Figure 4:,

. Figure 7 is a s milar view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 4,

Figure. 8 is a detailed fragmentary side elevation of the lever for actuating the throttle valve of the carburetor, and asso-- ciated elements, and,

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on line- 99 of Figure 4. I

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is'shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates an internal combustion engine of an automobile having the usual carburetor 11,

embodying .a throttle valve (not shown) which is opened by a lever or crank 12 when this lever or crank is shifted forwardly. As is well known, a spring is employed to normally. retain the throttle valve of the carburetor closed, and such throttle valve is opened in opposition to this spring, by swinging the lever-12 forwardly. The numeral 1-3 designates the inclined floor board or bottom of an automobile body. It might be stated that this description of the automobile will be sufficient, as the invention is not restricted to its application upon any particular type of automobile and the showing is simply given to illustrate the applica-- tion of the device to the automobile.

My combined accelerator and foot rest embodies an annular support or body portion 14;, equipped with a radial annular flange 15,- which is rigidly attached to the-bottom 13 by any suitable means, such as screws passing through the openings 16. 1

' The 'annular body portion 14 is equipped with a pair of longitudinal openings17 slid-' ably receiving guide rods 18 and 19, which are rigidly attached, by means of screws 20 or the like, to a guide sleeve or collar 21. The rod 19 extends forwardly beyond this guide sleeve or collar 21, for a purpose to be described.

The guide rods 18 and '19 extend rearwardly beyond the body portion14 and are rigidly connected with a foot engaging member 22, by means of screws 23 or the like. This foot engaging member is shown in the form of a circular disk, but the invention is in no sense restricted to this precise construction.

The foot engaging member or disk 22 is provided preferably centrally thereof with a tapered transverse opening 24, disposed between the guide rods 18 and 19, for the reception of a. valve actuating element or button 25, having its outer end or nose 26 projecting rearwardly beyond the rear face of the foot engaging member 22. Since this element or button is arranged centrally of the member 22, the outer portion of the member 22 may be engaged by the foot and function as an accelerator, without necessitating the element-or button 25 being depressed, or the foot may be shifted upon the member 22 to cover and depress the button whereby the member 22 will then serve as a foot rest. The numeral 27 designates a cylinder, the rear end of which has screwthreaded engagement within a tubular coupling 28, having screw-threaded engagement within the annular body portion 14, as

shown. I preferablyprovide packing 29 between the rear end of the cylinder 27 and an annular wall or partition 30, formed inthe coupling 28, for effecting a fluid tight joint. Mounted to reciprocate within the cylinder 27 is a tubular plunger 31, having a central port or bore 32, leading into rec'esses 33 and 34, upon'opposite ends of the plunger. This plunger 31 is equipped with an annular recess 35,- receiving packing 36.

The recess 34 is screw-threaded for receiving the screw-threaded end of a tubular plunger rod 37 ,which is accordingly rigidly attached tothe plunger 31. This tubular plunger rod has a lateral port 38, discharging into the open recess 39. The plunger 31 is provided adjacent to the upper end of the port or bore 32 with a conical valve seat 40. A cylindrical va-lve element 41 is slidable within the tubular plunger rod 37, and its lower end when moved forwardly is der 27 beneath the adapted to cover the port 38 and this valve element has a conical portion 42, to engage theconical valve seat 40, and a reduced cylindricalextension 43, to enter and close the bore 32. The cylinder 27 is adapted to be suitably filledwith a iluid,-pref erably a mixture of castor oil and alcohol, or any other suitable mixture which will not readily freeze. This fluid is held within the cylinplunger 31 and is-adapted to pass through the bore 32 to the top of the cylinder 27, when the plunger is moved downwardly in thecylinder 27, provided the upper end of the bore is uncovered. It might be stated at this point that the discharge of the fluid through the upper end of the bore 32 is prevented at. three points, namely, by the cylindrical valve element covering port 38, by the reduced extension 43- entering the bore 32, and by the conical portion 42 engaging upon the conical valve seat 40. These three closures areadapted to effect a positive seal.

' At its rear or upper end, the tubular plunger rod 37 is provided with a cylindrical screw-threaded head 44, receiving thereon a cylindrical housing or casing 45, pro-- vided in its top with a conical central opening 46, to receive the lower end of the conical button '25. The valve element 41 extends through the head 44 and is attached to the button 25 as shown at 47. The head 44 is provided with a recess for receiving packing 48, surrounding the valve element 41 and held in place by a gland 49. A conical compressible coil spring 50, surrounds the valve element 41 above the gland 49 and also engages the button 25, for holding the same upon the Wall of the opening 46. Surrounding the t-ubular plunger rod 37 is'a conical compressible coil spring 51, engaging the head 44, and a gland 52, having screw-threaded engagement within the tubular coupling 28, and holding packing 52, in place, which packing surrounds the tubular plunger rod 37, as shown. The spring 51 serves to hold the plunger rod 37 and the elements carried thereby, in the upper or rear position, with the housing 45 in contact with the wall of a recess 53, formed in the lower or forward face of the member It is thus seen that when the member 22 is depressed, the housing 45 engaging behind this member, will cause the plunger rod 37, plunger and associated elements to travel as a unit with the member 22.

The lower or forward end of the cylinder 27 is covered by a head or cap 54, having screw-threaded engagement therewith and packing 54 is arranged between these parts, shown. This cap is preferably provided with a trunnion or boss 55, upon which is mounted an upstanding arm or bracket 56, v1cllamped thereto by means of a nut 57.01 the The numeral 58 designates a lever provided at its upper end with a cylindrical head 59, pivoted upon a bolt 60, carried by the arm or bracket 56. This lever is providcd in its lower portion with a longitudinal slot 61., receiving the forward flattened end 62 of the guide rod 19. A transverse pin 63 is attached to this flattened end 62 and operates within longitudinal slots 64.- Pivotally connected, at 65, with the lower, end of the arm 58, is a rod 66, extending forwardly and slidably projectingthrough an opening 67, formed in the upper end of the steering wheel independently 'of the movement of the rod 66.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the foot is removed from the foot engaging member 22 such member will assume the raised or rear position, and the plunger 31 and associated element will assume the raised or rear position, asindicated in Figure 4. With the parts in .this position, the engine may be operated by means of theusual gas lever at the steering wheel. When driving the automobile, the throttle valve ofthe carburetor may be-operated by my device, and to accomplish this, the-member 22 is depressed by the foot, without depressing the button 25. As the rear or upper end of the bore 32 is now opened or*uncovered, thefluid within the forward or lower end of the cylinder 27 may pass to the upper end thereof and hence the plunger 31 is free to slide in either direction within the cylinder 27. When the member 22 has been depressed to the selected posi- V tion, it may be locked in this position against further depressing movement, so that it'will serve as a rigid foot rest. To accomplish this, the foot is'shifted upon the member 22 until it covers the button 25 and this action of the foot will depress the button, with re-' lation to the member 22. This will cause the valve element 41 to be depressed with relation to the tubular plunger rod 37 and the port 38 will be covered, conical part 12 will engageconical valve seat 40, andthe the engine-will be retained uniform.

reduced extension 13 will enter the bore The u per end of the bore is, therefore, effectiv y closed and the fluid can not pass from the lower end of the. cylinder to .the upper end of the cylinder, and'hence the plunger 31 will be locked against further depression. The foot remaining upon the member 22 and button 25, will be rigidly supported, the device then functioning as a foot rest. Further, the device will hold the rod 19 against. perceptible longitudinal movements, and hence the throttle valve of the carburetor will be held set in the adjusted opened position, and the speed of When the footis shifted from the button 25, the spring'SO'will immediately shift the valve element 41 tothe open position, and the fluid will then be free to circulate through the bore 32, and hence the plunger 31 and member 22 will be free to partake of reciprocatory movements. Hence the pressure may be moved from the member 22 and it wtion, position, whereby member.

will automatically return to thelraised posiand rod 66 will return to the rearmost the spring of the carburetor will automatically return the throttle valve to the wholly orpartly closed position.

,It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape,

' size and arrangement of parts may be re 7 5 sortedto without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, claim 1. A combined foot restand accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a

support, afoot engaging member connected withthe support and adapted to' be depressed by the foot, means for connecting the foot engaging member with 'a-mov'able element of the carburetor, hydraulic means. adapted to positively hold the foot engaging member against depressing movement, and

means for actuating the hydraulic means so 1 that the foot engaging member .may be released for depressing movement, said actuating meansembodying a foot engagingelement arranged near the foot engaging I2QA combined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprlsmg, a

support, a foot engaging member connected with the support and adapted to be depressed by the foot, means for connecting the foot engaging member with a movable element of a. carburetor,- hydraulic means adapted to positively hold the foot engaging member against depressing movement, and

means for actuating the hydraulicmeans to release the foot engaging member for depressing movement, said actuating means embodying a foot engaging element which is movable with and with relation to the foot engaging member.

'3. A combined foot rest and accelerator for a'motor driven vehicle comprising, asupport, a foot engaging member connected with the support and adapted to be depressed by the foot, means for connecting the foot engaging member with a movable part of a carbu etor, hydraulic means for controlling the depression movement of the foot engaging member, and means for controlling the escapeof fluid from a part of the hydraulic-means including an element carried by and movable with relation to the foot engaging member.

4. A-c'ombined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a foot engaging'member, means for connecting the member with a movable-element of a carburetor, a cylinder, a tubular plunger within the cylinder, a rod connecting with the plunger and adaptedto be moved by foot engaging element.

5. A combmed foot rest and-accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a foot engaging member having an opening therein, a footv engaging element mounted within the opening andprojecting -rearwardly beyond the member, ,means for connecting the member with a movable element of a carburetor, a cylinder for holding a fluid, a plunger within'the cylinderhaving. a port. for the passage of the fluid, means for controlling the passage of the fluid, through said port and connected with thefoot engaging element, and connecting means between the plunger and the foot engaging member.

6. A combined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a foot engaging member having .an opening therein,"a foot engaging element within the opening and projecting beyond the rear face of said member, means for connecting said member with a movable element of a carburetor, a cylinder-holding a fluid, a

' plunger within the cylinder having a port for the passage of the fluid, a tubular rod connected with the plunger and engaging the foot engaging member, and a valve element operating within the tubular rod and controlling the passage of fluid through said port and connected with the foot engaging element;

7. A combined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a foot engaging member, a foot engaging element carried by said member and movable with it and with relation'to the same, a cylinder, a plunger within the cylinder having a port, a tubular rod connected with. the plunger and adapted to be shifted by the member, a valve element to-cover the port and connected with the. foot engaging element, a spring to movethe foot engaging element in one direction, and a spring to move the foot engaging memberin one direction.

8. A combined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a shell for holding a fluid, a movable member within the shell and having its movement eontrolled'by the passage of fluid within the shell from one side of the member to its opposite side, means for controlling such a passage of the fluid, a foot engaging member connected with the movable member so that the "movement of the former is controlled by that of the latter, a foot engaging element connected with the fluid control means, and means connecting the foot engag ing member with a movable part of the carburetor. I

9. Arombined foot rest and accelerator for a power driven vehicle comprising, a'

shell. for holding a fluid, a movable member within the shell and-adapted to move therein,

cape of the fluid from the shell upon the side of the movable member including a movable foot engaging clement carried by and mova- Ele with relation to the foot engaging memer. v i

10. A combined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle. comprising, a shell for; holding a fluid, a movable member engaging the fluid within the shell and having its movement controlled by the escape of the fluid from the shell upon one side of the movable member, a foot engaging memberhaving its movement controlled by the movement of the movable member, means connecting the foot engaging member .with a movable part' of the carburetor, a .valve element for controlling the escape of the fluid from the shell upon one side of the movable'member, automatic means to shift the valve element to the open position, and a foot engaging element connected with the valve element to move it to the closed position. I

11. A combined foot rest and accelerator for a motor driven vehicle comprising, a support, a foot engaging member connected with the support and adapted to be depressed by the foot, means for connecting the foot engaging member with a movable element of a carburetor, hydraulic means connected with the foot engaging-member and having an opening for th'epassage of fluid,

said hydraulic means being so constructed that the toot engaging member may move when 'said passage is uncovered and said- GEORGE N HALLER. 

